Ireland becomes fourth country in world to celebrate Black History Month

The King of Moo · 10-10-2014 11:06AM

sbsquarepants wrote: »

How is that not racist?
Is there a white history month? Are there mowo awards?
And what exactly is black history anyway? Correct me if I'm wrong but sharing a skin colour with someone does not connect you in any way. The history of people with dark skin is about as pointless a grouping and the history of people with big tits.
Now there's an idea I could get behind, big tits month. Sounds way more interesting than the history of those with more melanin than average, and every bit as logical a grouping too:mad:

I think for black people in the western world, even if they're from different backgrounds and living in different countries, there's a shared history of discrimination, which still hasn't gone away entirely. I don't see any harm in acknowledging that and presenting a more objective view of black history, a narrative that never really got to be aired during times of more overt oppression. It's redressing the balance.

For white people as a general group (of course there is a minority of discriminated-against groups within that group, but white people in general have never suffered widespread discrimination) there's no need to redress the balance. There's nothing that needs to be told. We know all about the history of white people. For most people, history IS white history, told by and about the dominant ethnic group in the West. A white history month would have nothing interesting to tell us, unless it were focussed on more obscure corners of history, and underrepresented minorities.

freqeunt_guest · 10-10-2014 11:17AM

The King of Moo wrote: »

I think for black people in the western world, even if they're from different backgrounds and living in different countries, there's a shared history of discrimination, which still hasn't gone away entirely. I don't see any harm in acknowledging that and presenting a more objective view of black history, a narrative that never really got to be aired during times of more overt oppression. It's redressing the balance.

For white people as a general group (of course there is a minority of discriminated-against groups within that group, but white people in general have never suffered widespread discrimination) there's no need to redress the balance. There's nothing that needs to be told. We know all about the history of white people. For most people, history IS white history, told by and about the dominant ethnic group in the West. A white history month would have nothing interesting to tell us, unless it were focussed on more obscure corners of history, and underrepresented minorities.

How perfectly PC

folan · 10-10-2014 11:21AM

freqeunt_guest wrote: »

How perfectly PC

explain how its pc, as opposed to being a well reasoned point.

RobYourBuilder · 10-10-2014 11:34AM

TheBeardedLady wrote: »

I feel so old. :-/ *awkward sidey-face*

Are we not white? I'm looking at my arm as I type. There is a remnants of a summers tan there, but I'm still relatively white.

folan · 10-10-2014 11:37AM

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

Are we not white? I'm looking at my arm as I type. There is a remnants of a summers tan there, but I'm still relatively white.

ok, maybe a direct link

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101605/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu

KungPao · 10-10-2014 11:39AM

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

Are we not white? I'm looking at my arm as I type. There is a remnants of a summers tan there, but I'm still relatively white.

We are too white, if anything. I feel discriminated against by our slightly less white "friends" such as the French, Italians and Spanish.

I demand a month of celebration for us whiter than white whites.

Hoop66 · 10-10-2014 11:44AM

wazky wrote: »

Or Paul McGrath and Barack O'Bama

Not forgetting Buffal O'Soldier & Ceilidh Selassie.

conorhal · 10-10-2014 11:46AM

The King of Moo wrote: »

I think for black people in the western world, even if they're from different backgrounds and living in different countries, there's a shared history of discrimination, which still hasn't gone away entirely. I don't see any harm in acknowledging that and presenting a more objective view of black history, a narrative that never really got to be aired during times of more overt oppression. It's redressing the balance.

For white people as a general group (of course there is a minority of discriminated-against groups within that group, but white people in general have never suffered widespread discrimination) there's no need to redress the balance. There's nothing that needs to be told. We know all about the history of white people. For most people, history IS white history, told by and about the dominant ethnic group in the West. A white history month would have nothing interesting to tell us, unless it were focussed on more obscure corners of history, and underrepresented minorities.

I was under the impression that most of the black people in this country had arrived here over the last 20 years and were 'escaping oppression' ...in Africa by other Africans, I hadn't realised that they were victims of Ireland's global Imperial reach.
No doubt the the lefty quango responsible (for where else would this daft stichk come from) feel that the newcomers perhaps lack the requisite chip on the shoulder and need to be educated as to the evils of the 'white devil' so they can understand that absolute entitlement that they should enjoy for all the slavery that they didn't suffer. Why many may have arrived utterly unaware of their autom,atic entitlement of the status as 'victims of white opressors'.

What a load of nonsense.

Packrat · 10-10-2014 11:48AM

The King of Moo wrote: »

I think for black people in the western world, even if they're from different backgrounds and living in different countries, there's a shared history of discrimination, which still hasn't gone away entirely. I don't see any harm in acknowledging that and presenting a more objective view of black history, a narrative that never really got to be aired during times of more overt oppression. It's redressing the balance.

For white people as a general group (of course there is a minority of discriminated-against groups within that group, but white people in general have never suffered widespread discrimination) there's no need to redress the balance. There's nothing that needs to be told. We know all about the history of white people. For most people, history IS white history, told by and about the dominant ethnic group in the West. A white history month would have nothing interesting to tell us, unless it were focussed on more obscure corners of history, and underrepresented minorities.

Yes, but unlike the other countries celebrating this garbage, we didn't participate in slavery etc.

In fact, http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-irish-slave-trade-the-forgotten-white-slaves/31076
we were just as much victims of the same crap as they were.

But of course, - dont let me stop you PC'ers on your self flaggelation mission. Sure we probably deserved Cromwell too....

fcuk sake...

folan · 10-10-2014 11:50AM

Packrat wrote: »

Yes, but unlike the other countries celebrating this garbage, we didn't participate in slavery etc.

In fact, http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-irish-slave-trade-the-forgotten-white-slaves/31076
we were just as much victims of the same crap as they were.

But of course, - dont let me stop you PC'ers on your self flaggelation mission. Sure we probably deserved Cromwell too....

fcuk sake...

Hell of a couple of jumps. Why exactly is it garbage?

Please explain why we, as Irish people, should not be encouraged to learn more about a particular part of history which we often do not?

KungPao · 10-10-2014 11:50AM

conorhal wrote: »

I was under the impression that most of the black people in this country had arrived here over the last 20 yeards and were 'escaping opression' ...in Africa by other Africans, I hadn't realised that they were victims of Ireland global Imperial reach.
No doubt the the lefty quango responsible (for where else would this daft stichk come from) feel that the newcomers perhaps they lack the requisite chip on the shoulder and need to be educated as to the evils of the 'white devil' so they can understand that absolute entitlement that they should enjoy for all the slavery that they didn't suffer. Why many may have arrived utterly unaware of their autom,atic entitlement of the status as 'victims of white opressors'.

What a load of nonsense.

In my opinion, The African-Americans who came here from Nigeria, Uganda etc, deserve to be honoured.

FTA69 · 10-10-2014 11:51AM

My union organises an event for International Migrant's Day every December. I should write to them and inform them that that's a total disgrace and that they should have an International Non-Migrant's Day as well.

There is nothing at all wrong with something like a Black History Month; the reason such an initiative was started was because black people had generally been written out of history. Not only were they excluded from many aspects of society, their contribution to the building of certain countries was largely overlooked or deliberately ignored. Recognising that some different groups may have some different needs is not a bad thing.

By the logic of some here, having women's issue groups is discriminatory because they aren't concerned with men.

Also, before people p*ss themselves entirely; this isn't a state sponsored event. It's a coalition of African and migrant groups setting up a few events to discuss the contribution that migrants make as well as any potential issues they have today. It's a cultural exercise by migrant workers, I don't see why people would object to that.

Yarf Yarf · 10-10-2014 11:52AM

sbsquarepants wrote: »

How is that not racist?
Is there a white history month? Are there mowo awards?
And what exactly is black history anyway? Correct me if I'm wrong but sharing a skin colour with someone does not connect you in any way. The history of people with dark skin is about as pointless a grouping and the history of people with big tits.
Now there's an idea I could get behind, big tits month. Sounds way more interesting than the history of those with more melanin than average, and every bit as logical a grouping too:mad:

I never understand this moaning about how there's no white history month. It's like people who say that it's not fair that there's no straight pride parades. What exactly is unfair about it or is it just because you're not used to not being allowed to get involved in every single thing that happens? Every month is white history month. Everyday is a straight pride parade. Being white and straight is the accepted norm. White people in this part of the world aren't and never have been oppressed for being white. Why would there ever be any need to have a celebration of 'white culture' when it is celebrated all around us all the time and there has hardly ever been a time when it hasn't been? Look at films and television and music down through the generations and you'll see plenty of people who look like you. The same couldn't be said for black people, or indeed any minority.

Anyway, that all said, I'd be inclined to agree with what Morgan Freeman had to say about Black History Month: Black History should not be relegated to just one month of the year. Black History is part and parcel of history in general, it's not just an aside.

folan · 10-10-2014 11:52AM

GerB40 wrote: »

Imagine the cries of racism if such a thing were created..

http://irishamericanheritagemonth.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish-American_Heritage_Month

racism?

RobYourBuilder · 10-10-2014 11:52AM

KungPao wrote: »

We are too white, if anything. I feel discriminated against by our slightly less white "friends" such as the French, Italians and Spanish.

I demand a month of celebration for us whiter than white whites.

Visit them during the winter months. They get as pale as ourselves then. Actually, I go near see through in the winter. Translucent. On that Casper s*it

Packrat · 10-10-2014 11:55AM

folan wrote: »

Hell of a couple of jumps. Why exactly is it garbage?

Please explain why we, as Irish people, should not be encouraged to learn more about a particular part of history which we often do not?

Read the article I linked, and then explain to me why we here in Ireland ought to be self flaggelating over something we had no part in apart from being per capita LARGER victims of ?

.

RobbingBandit · 10-10-2014 11:56AM

Samuel L Jackson offered to be Grand Marshal of the parade for this, there is going to be a parade isn't there?

folan · 10-10-2014 11:59AM

Packrat wrote: »

Read the article I linked, and then explain to me why we here in Ireland ought to be self flaggelating over something we had no part in apart from being per capita LARGER victims of ?

.

ill have to look up the meaning of flaggelating.

ok done.

Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month in America, is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom (and now Ireland) for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.

we arent.

Fratton Fred · 10-10-2014 12:19PM

Packrat wrote: »

Yes, but unlike the other countries celebrating this garbage, we didn't participate in slavery etc.

In fact, http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-irish-slave-trade-the-forgotten-white-slaves/31076
we were just as much victims of the same crap as they were.

But of course, - dont let me stop you PC'ers on your self flaggelation mission. Sure we probably deserved Cromwell too....

fcuk sake...

http://oldmooresalmanac.com/news-topics/diaspora/duplicate-of-nairobi-dreaming.html

FTA69 · 10-10-2014 12:24PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

http://oldmooresalmanac.com/news-topics/diaspora/duplicate-of-nairobi-dreaming.html

I used to work with a few of them in Hackney years ago. They call their shoes "brógs" and their jumpers "geansaís". Nearly all of them have Irish surnames as well. One lad I worked with was called Joe O'Reilly and he was married to a woman called Maisie O'Keefe. They were to this day some of the blackest people I have ever met. The odd year they participate in the St Patrick's Day parade in London.

It's definitely on my bucket list to spend St Patrick's Day out there. Their national dish is Goat Water which is Irish stew only with kid goat.

DeadHand · 10-10-2014 12:27PM

It's harmless, pointless nonsense that will be treated with the indifference it richly deserves by 99.9999% of people in Ireland of any colour. I don't see what there is to get angry or offended about- It's not state funded, it's not being shoved down people's throats.

What does seem off to me is a person coming from San Francisco and loftily telling us; "What it means to be Irish is going to completely change".

What qualifies him to know what it means to be Irish and, furthermore, that it's going to change? Well, he's lived in Dublin for "several years".

Massive arrogance.

thrashmetalfan · 10-10-2014 12:46PM

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

What status quo?

this Status Quo:

Son Of A Vidic · 10-10-2014 12:46PM

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

The Irish are the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. And the Northside Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin. So say it once, say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud.

But since there are no pure blood Dubliners left & most come from, or are with mixed culchie bloodlines. I deduce that culchie's must be the blacks of Europe.

sbsquarepants · 10-10-2014 01:08PM

The King of Moo wrote: »

I think for black people in the western world, even if they're from different backgrounds and living in different countries, there's a shared history of discrimination, which still hasn't gone away entirely. I don't see any harm in acknowledging that and presenting a more objective view of black history, a narrative that never really got to be aired during times of more overt oppression. It's redressing the balance.

For white people as a general group (of course there is a minority of discriminated-against groups within that group, but white people in general have never suffered widespread discrimination) there's no need to redress the balance. There's nothing that needs to be told. We know all about the history of white people. For most people, history IS white history, told by and about the dominant ethnic group in the West. A white history month would have nothing interesting to tell us, unless it were focussed on more obscure corners of history, and underrepresented minorities.

Well, what I think is that it's a load of bollox.
Black history, black music awards and so on it's racism. Being black is not anything to be proud of or to be celebrated, either is being white, yellow, or green. You had no choice, you done nothing to achieve it, it doesn't define you in any real sense - it's just your bloody skin colour. You couldn't change it even if you wanted to - where is the pride coming from?
Loving someone for their skin colour is every bit as retarded as hating them for it.

endacl · 10-10-2014 01:11PM

wazky wrote: »

He was superb in The Shawshank Redemption.

Nah. That was Samuel Jackson. Michael's da.

Help!!!! · 10-10-2014 01:15PM

The King of Moo wrote: »

I think for black people in the western world, even if they're from different backgrounds and living in different countries, there's a shared history of discrimination, which still hasn't gone away entirely. I don't see any harm in acknowledging that and presenting a more objective view of black history, a narrative that never really got to be aired during times of more overt oppression. It's redressing the balance.

For white people as a general group (of course there is a minority of discriminated-against groups within that group, but white people in general have never suffered widespread discrimination) there's no need to redress the balance. There's nothing that needs to be told. We know all about the history of white people. For most people, history IS white history, told by and about the dominant ethnic group in the West. A white history month would have nothing interesting to tell us, unless it were focussed on more obscure corners of history, and underrepresented minorities.

The Irish were ( & still are ) discriminated by some & its not just white English either

RobYourBuilder · 10-10-2014 01:23PM

FTA69 wrote: »

I used to work with a few of them in Hackney years ago. They call their shoes "brógs" and their jumpers "geansaís". Nearly all of them have Irish surnames as well. One lad I worked with was called Joe O'Reilly and he was married to a woman called Maisie O'Keefe. They were to this day some of the blackest people I have ever met. The odd year they participate in the St Patrick's Day parade in London.

Full of lies. Why are you spoofing?

sbsquarepants · 10-10-2014 01:25PM

KungPao wrote: »

In my opinion, The African-Americans who came here from Nigeria, Uganda etc, deserve to be honoured.

Why?
Why not Australians? Spanish? Argentinians? Welsh? Whatever the fúck you call someone from Lichtenstein?

jmayo · 10-10-2014 01:28PM

Shakespeare's Sister wrote: »

Here's a man who had a huge role in black musical history:

http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120402225423/random-ness/images/3/34/Michael_Jackson_popcorn.gif

Of course this was before he was white, right ?

The King of Moo wrote: »

I think for black people in the western world, even if they're from different backgrounds and living in different countries, there's a shared history of discrimination, which still hasn't gone away entirely. I don't see any harm in acknowledging that and presenting a more objective view of black history, a narrative that never really got to be aired during times of more overt oppression. It's redressing the balance.

For white people as a general group (of course there is a minority of discriminated-against groups within that group, but white people in general have never suffered widespread discrimination) there's no need to redress the balance. There's nothing that needs to be told. We know all about the history of white people. For most people, history IS white history, told by and about the dominant ethnic group in the West. A white history month would have nothing interesting to tell us, unless it were focussed on more obscure corners of history, and underrepresented minorities.

Well then can we expect a Jewish history month.
Actually that would be damm interesting until it would be hijacked by certain people.
After the Jewish history month we can have a Roma Gypsie history month followed by an Irish traveller history month (maybe week in this case).

I don't like the fact that some people believe all white people should be ashamed of the way some white people have and still do discriminate against black people.
For a start most of us aren't descendants from slave owners like David Cameron.

The King of Moo · 10-10-2014 01:28PM

conorhal wrote: »

I was under the impression that most of the black people in this country had arrived here over the last 20 years and were 'escaping oppression' ...in Africa by other Africans, I hadn't realised that they were victims of Ireland's global Imperial reach.
No doubt the the lefty quango responsible (for where else would this daft stichk come from) feel that the newcomers perhaps lack the requisite chip on the shoulder and need to be educated as to the evils of the 'white devil' so they can understand that absolute entitlement that they should enjoy for all the slavery that they didn't suffer. Why many may have arrived utterly unaware of their autom,atic entitlement of the status as 'victims of white opressors'.

What a load of nonsense.

It's Black History Month, it's about raising awareness of the history of black people in a broad sense. What's the harm in that, especially considering that black people still face discrimination in this country and others. It might open some people's eyes, and it certainly won't hurt anyone.
A lot of black people emigrated here, and a lot of black Irish people have been born here. What's wrong with having more information about their heritage, especially considering not a lot is generally known about it?
I'm not sure what evidence you have for this about "white devils" and "entitlement."

Packrat wrote: »

Yes, but unlike the other countries celebrating this garbage, we didn't participate in slavery etc.

In fact, http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-irish-slave-trade-the-forgotten-white-slaves/31076
we were just as much victims of the same crap as they were.

But of course, - dont let me stop you PC'ers on your self flaggelation mission. Sure we probably deserved Cromwell too....

fcuk sake...

It's not just about slavery, and acknowledging the discrimination against black people and making people more aware of black history doesn't mean you have to ignore Irish equivalents. It's not a zero-sum game.
I don't agree with you that "we probably deserved Cromwell" at all!

Help!!!! wrote: »

The Irish were ( & still are ) discriminated by some & its not just white English either

Which is why no reasonable person objects to Irish-American Heritage Month, and why English people don't really get bothered by St.Patrick's Day celebrations in England.

Ireland becomes fourth country in world to celebrate Black History Month

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